Is the priest of Daizenji Temple (National Treasure) a winemaker?

daizenji (9) view point of kofu basin

Daizenji Temple is also called Grapes Temple.      This is not because the priest is passionate about grape cultivation and wine making.    It is said that during the Nara period, the monk Gyoki enshrined the Yakushi Sanzon holding a bunch of grapes that appeared in his dreams.     In fact, the priest and temple officials grow grapes on the premises and set up tanks to make wine.

daizenji (7) grape field in the temple
daizenji (7) grape field in the temple
wine produced by temple
wine produced by temple

At the rest area with garden view, a glass of homemade (or sould I say “templemade”) wine is sold for 300 yen, and it comes with four delicious Koshu grapes as a snack, so it’s a good deal.   I ended up buying a bottle(1800ml) of wine(Muscat Bailey A) as a souvenir.

Well, there are three elements that make this temple famous.

First, the Yakushi-do Hall and the Zushi that houses the Buddha statues are national treasures.   The roof of Yakushido is made of cypress bark, and its curved shape is harmonious and beautiful.    It was built during the Mongol invasion period of the Kamakura period, making it the oldest wooden structure in the Kanto region.   In Kyoto, Senbon Shakado was built around the same time.   The Nikko(sun) and Gakko(moon) Bodhisattvas and the 12 divine generals enshrined inside are very well-designed and give a sense of newness despite being old, but the story of the woman who explains them is too comical.    I feel like it’s a bit of a mismatch.

daizenji (11) Yakushido
daizenji (11) Yakushido

Next, it is said that this was the temple where Katsuyori Takeda, who was defeated by the Oda army and headed for Mt. Tenmoku, stayed overnight praying for a counterattack.    These records of Takeda’s demise remain in this temple.

Finally, at the end of the Edo period, the shogunate army and the Shinsengumi, who had a final battle with the new government army, established their tentative headquarter on the west side of Daizenji Temple to prevent the temple from being damaged by war.

The captain was Isamu Kondo, and the main gate of Daizenji Temple is depicted on the background of the nishiki-e(color print).    The purpose of this battle was to seize Kofu Castle first and prevent the new government forces from invading Edo, but they were defeated by the new government forces led by Taisuke Itagaki.   This was exactly the same history as when Katsuyori Takeda tried to reach Seiunji Temple for Reborn, but was preempted by the Oda army.

daizenji (1) gate
daizenji (1) gate

 

Detour

Speaking of food in Yamanashi, it’s “Houtou.”

restaurant kaiki (2)
restaurant minaki (2) entrance

It’s hard to tell how it’s different from udon, but the flour is kneaded without adding salt to keep it from becoming chewy, and then it’s cut up and simmered with vegetables without waiting too long.    Therefore, some of the noodles will dissolve into the soup, creating a soup unique to “Houtou.”

restaurant kaiki (7) hoto
restaurant minaki (7) houtou

Enjoy houtou at a house designated as a registered tangible cultural property. The house “Minaki” is an old Japanese zelkova house built in 1896.

erinji (10) letters written on military flag
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The small town Obuse thrives on chestnuts

obuse scenery (1)

When we arrived at the center of Obuse town, a large group of young tourists got off the large bus.   It seemed like they were on a graduation trip, but it’s rare to see so many young people coming together in groups at tourist destinations in Japan.    Japan’s tourist spots are now filled with energetic old people or foreigners who have benefited from the weak yen.    This site, however, is disseminating information to non-Japanese people.

The first thing I noticed in Obuse was that each house and plot of land was large, and it was far more spacious than in Tokyo.    Also, since there is no shopping street itself, there are no shuttered streets that are often seen, and there are no abandoned houses.    Perhaps because of this, it has the feel of a rich country town.    This area is also an alluvial fan, and fruit trees such as grapes and chestnut trees are cultivated on the farm.

This town does not give the impression of being depopulated or deserted at all.    Although it only has a population of 10,000 people, it is famous as a chestnut production area that has continued since the Edo period.    During the chestnut harvest season, long lines form in the morning for the seasonal fresh chestnut sweets, but you can enjoy chestnut sweets all year round along with delicious Italian cuisine at Evolve, which is a sister store to the famous store.

There are sweets shops all over the place, and you can enjoy all kinds of chestnut sweets.    I wonder if the young group who got off the large bus came looking for these or rare sake from this region, but I couldn’t trace them after that.

evolve lunch (8)chestnut sweet
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